Monday, October 6, 2014

Checking in on Ohio's Rocky Path to Marriage Equality

Passively Progressive Supreme Court News Doesn't Really Impact Us

Today, the U.S. Supreme Court turned down appeals from five states seeking to ban same-sex marriage. The move leaves the issue legal in Indiana, Oklahoma, Utah, Virginia and Wisconsin de facto and continues the trend of states' say in the matter taking precedence (often in the affirmative for couples planning to get married).

Ohio, though, is another story.

Ian James, executive director of FreedomOhio, called this morning's headlines “fantastic news for everybody not in Ohio” and reiterated his organization's call for a 2016 ballot initiatve.

We in the Buckeye State are still awaiting word from the Sixth Circuit in Cincinnati, where judges are debating pro-equality rulings in Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio and Tennessee. The specific issue in the Ohio case deals with the state recognizing marriages legally performed out-of-state. The sentiment among pro-equality advocates isn't totally optimistic about the Sixth Circuit.

Gay unions are now legal in 30 states.

Both Gov. John Kasich and Attorney General Mike DeWine, each up for re-election next month, are against marriage equality (with DeWine often twirling a non-existent mustache whenever the topic comes up).